Obituary of Barbara Bennett
The family of Barbara Bennett of Ituna, widow of George Bennett & John Jaques, sadly announce her passing on Friday, November 22, 2024. Barbara was 99 years of age.
As per Barbara's wishes there will be no service.
Barbara Heap Bennett (neé Chadwick), born September 2, 1925, passed peacefully in her sleep on November 22, 2024 at the fabulous age of 99.
She was much loved by her children, Susan (Ted Shaw), Sheryl, and Stephen (Christine Flammer); grandchildren Jordan Wilson (Megan), Brennan (Cassandra Grey), and Stephanie (Eric Almberg), Briar Bennett-Flammer (Sam Neumann) and the late Colt Unser; step-grandchildren Megan Pau (Kari Pau) and Colleen Cate Shaw; and great-grandchildren Amelia and Ana Wilson.
Born in Regina to Gladys Dorothy Chadwick (neé Bell, 1892-1984) and Herbert Milne Chadwick (1882-1956), Barb was the youngest of four siblings with Enid, Doug, and Rafe. She graduated from Balfour High School and, unusually for the time, went straight into the working world.
Barb worked two years at the Regina weather office, a job she greatly enjoyed, then joined Canada Life and was transferred to Toronto, where she also studied voice at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. She returned to Regina where she met George Nelson Bennett (1926-1993), a Saskatchewan and Dominion Land Surveyor, whom she married in 1950.
For more than two decades Barb was employed at Imperial Oil. At the age of 55 she took up a new profession as a travel agent and co-owner of Reidy Travel of Regina. In her role she travelled widely throughout the world. She and George also enjoyed many vacations together in Hawaii.
Barb was an avid swimmer, a skilled bridge player and passable golfer. In later life she and George enjoyed many laughter-filled days with their friends at their sailing club on Lake Diefenbaker. But her real forté was singing. Barbara had a beautiful, mellow, soprano voice. For years she was lead soprano in the choir at All Saints Anglican Church of Regina. She also travelled to a singing competition in the UK with the Hewettes singing group. She performed in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, and her solo performances of “O Holy Night” brought tears to the eyes of many in the Christmas season.
Following George’s death, Barb married John Jaques (1923-2003) of Briercrest, with whom she shared many happy years continuing to travel. In later life she lived with her daughter Sheryl in Melville, Saskatchewan, until passing her final year at the Ituna Pioneer Healthcare Centre. We already miss her so much.
